Provider perspectives on aftercare services for youth in residential care

The provision of aftercare services for youth and families is an important topic in residential care. Focus groups were conducted with seven service professionals working with youth in residential care in the United States. Providers responded to two questions: Based on your involvement in residential care 1) what barriers do providers experience when trying to access aftercare services for youth who are departing residential care; and 2) what solutions have providers attempted or recommended to overcome barriers so that aftercare services are made available to youth? Common themes for barriers included: 1) Youth/Family barriers to engagement; 2) Aftercare programming issues and concerns; 3) State, local, and agency policy; 4) Lack of funding; and 5) Lack of interagency collaboration. Common themes for solutions included: 1) Continuity of care; 2) State, local, and agency policy recommendations; 3) Family engagement; 4) Funding solutions; 5) Discharge planning; 6) Agency collaboration; and 7) Technology. Study limitations, future research, and implications are discussed. ©